Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1887-03-17
BET; a SKETCH.
cHar,'EE THE FIRST.

cHaP1'EH THE FIRST.
I glorious July afternoon, some GO
RS ago, in one OF the Midland
mites; a narrow lane between heds-
where the wild rose grew in sweet
Mission; and a young man trudgina
be. whistlipg scraps of country
les with lusty enjoyment.
e was a strong, well-built fellow,
= b an honest, kindly face. that was
eemed from being commonplace by
firm lips ard bright grey eyes.
J, one Land ne carried a posy OF
wing summer flowers, and doubt
it was thoughts OF the future re-
lent that made him whistle so gaily,
rejoice so gladly in the shining sky
hot sunshine.
lot that he could have told you
Il he revealed in the beauties OF
lure, Tor he was not poetical-ex-
d in so far that most good men
SO more or less. But he could
y Re told you that his skies were the
e eyes OF Bet Woodruff, and his
hshiue was in her smiles.
Jasper Dean was a farmer OF the
I'd old soSt--hard-w working and per-
By content provided the crops were
Dd, and that sheep rot did not get
hongst his flocks. HIS little farm
n descended to him from his father,
b here Jasper had lived with his
bther ever since his first entry into
stence. Ha would not have
Uttered his dear old home for all
splendor CT palace. The
bet life had the charm of fla
MARTY, and be was disturbed by no
nbition to explore the world in
lest OF novelty or adventure. In
I'd, his ambitions, such as they were,
re commonplace enough. though
81 at present one of them seemed
himself, at !sast-absoroingly inter-
hing.
He was engaged to be married; and
ambition was TO make the woman
loved happy. Bet Woodruffel
BIO could hslp loving Bet, with
b golden hair and soft blue eyes?
She was an orphan niece OF Jasper's
other. and mad lived as pet and
anything at the farm since she was IL
karsold.. How Jasper had cherished
e little creature, played with her,
ID, as she grew Older, hoped for kerl
She. too, was fond of good old
sspcr,' and thought HIM the finest,
ID best fellow in the country.
$50 it came abont that they told
kch other they could never be happy
part. Jasper said that the farm,
Eth ITS pretty gaiden and orchard,
|Rs nothing to him without Bet; and
st whispered that she would love to
Re there always, with Jasper.
No wonder, then, if Jasper felt that
Re was a splendid thing, as he carried
|bme his posy to Bet. Who would
BIT think sc in such position?
Yet, as he crossed the meadow lead
q to the farm, a slight shadow cloud
8 his eyes, and he looked down at the
DIVERS with q half-regretful sigh.
She was half-crazed for these anem-
hes" he sand to himself; "and I've
|ad tough walk to find 'em. But
BE lass takes no thought for such
he since that artist chaps bin at
|er-n no. nor yet for me, neither.
hes not what she used to be. Like
b she finds Pm bit dull and rusty.
great, hulknlg fellow for such bit
y sunlight as she is-bless her. But
pye her, and that's saying more nor
fother chap, sor all his buttering ways.
4 | were to catch him a-fooling my
ass-Ii were tothink-"Be clenched
1is hands with momentary anger,
hen shook himself impatiently, and,
>pening the gate of the orchard, add
b, "l'll never doubt my Bet
rust her for IA good and sensible
ass, Jasper, Lad, and thee'll not find
bee was a fooi for thy pains"
In the garden he found her. She was
bot alone, for Allan Challoner. the
Irtist from London, was putting the
inishing touches to picture in which
Bet was the central figure. He had
been there most afternoons for the
sst three weeks, telling Bet that her
lair and complexion were themes for
N artist to iinmortaiise. and instilling
nto her innocent mind all the insidious
iattery he knew SO well how to adj
minister to all wonien-iady or vii
age maid alike. We may pardon
Jasper a lovers jealousy of such a
'ival-one, moreover, who would be
70 worthy rival. for though he might
teal Bets heart, it was all in pure
dleness, and he had no love to give
Ter Iii return.
Bet was sitting. bareheaded, at a
Ipinning wheel, as lovely a model as
'ould be seen. She looked up as Jas
yer came towards her, and it seemed
% him that she was pale, and her
mile little tremulous.
"Thee'st been away a long while,
Jasper" she said. "Thy mothers
been asking for thee"
well. ] doubt not she'll forgive me,
or twas for thy sake, lass" he said,
putting the flowers In her lap. ''Thee
Naldst, one day back, thee wanted
anemones, and I've got 'em for thee"
"0h, good Jasper" she cried barry
ng her tace in the blossoms. "0h,
'ood Jasper!l''
She laid them against her cheek, and
'ver and anon looked up at him and
nurmured, Good Jasper!" in tone
hat rang strangely to him, it was so
mike her usual merry chatter.
Meanwhile Challoner was packing
Up his things, paying little heed to his
,ompanions. He knew Jasper dis
liked him, and guessed the reason. As
or Bet-lovely little girl-yes, he
you'd ike to show her off to his
riends. At all events, though to.
morrow was his last day, he meant to
make the most of it when Jasper S
back was turned.
Good day, Bet" he said, cheerily,
shen he was ready to go. $50 our
nttlnss are over. / hope you are as
.orry as ami Here is a
title keepsake for you-weddine
present what you will" And as he
poke he put round her neck q long
'old chain, such as Bet had never, in
Ter dreams, thought of possessing.
she gave cry of delight. and her face
it up with childlike pleasure and ad-
niration.
"Oh. It's beautifdi--beautiful--
'eautifulP she said gracefully. otis
90 tine for such as me sir. oh, lean
lot thank you as / want! Look, JAS
per. look oh, / must show aunt
lsn't it beautiful, Jasper, lad?"
Jasper Sewers had fallen unheaded
. the ground. whilst Bet stroked the
main with eager fingers. Jasper,
ais srows drawn together, stood a